Ear-protector.



R. MOWILLIAMS.

EAB PROTECTOR.

APPLIoATIoN FILED ooT.as,19o7.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908y to fit within the same, said stopper being TED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

ROWLAND MCWILLIAMS, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

EAR-PROTECTOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, RowLaNn MCVIL- maiis, citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of N ew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ear-Protectors, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention provides a device to be worn by swimmers or bathers for excluding water from the ears and thereby preventing the injurious effects traceable to water finding its way into the delicate organisms of the ear when snf'imming or bathlng.

The device consists of a stopper having the general outline of'the shape of the ear preferably hollow and having a stem extended therefrom to enter the passage of the ear to serve to retain the stopper in place as also to exclude water from penetrating the interior of the ear through the passage.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details` of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had Ato the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of an ear protector embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the protector as seen from the inner side. F ig. 3 is a side view of the protector. F ig. 4 is a central longitudinal section of the device.

Corresponding and like parts are referred i to in the following description and indicated i in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The protector consists of a stopper l and j a stem 2, the latter projecting from one side l of the stopper, which is designated as the inner side. The stopper l in its general outj line, conforms to the shape of the ear so as to fit within the same and exclude water. The 1 stopper is flat so as not to protrude from the ear when placed in position and is approximately of pear form with the smaller or contracted end curved to one side in the plane Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 28,

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

1907. Serial N0. 399,478.

of the stopper. The device is constructed of soft rubber and is flexible to conform readily to the shape of the ear without producing injurious annoying pressure. The stopper l is hollow to increase its flexibility and enable the device to be exceedingly light to readily conform to varying shapes so as to obtain a close fit within the ear. The outer wall of the chamber or space of the stopper is perforated, the perforations 3 being comparatively small and closely related so as not to detract from the vsustaining qualities of the stopper, while at the same time admitting of sound passing readily therethrough into the stopper and thence through the hollow stem 2 into the ear. An exceedingly thin diaphragm 4 is arranged close to the inner side of the outer wall of the stopper so as to exclude water while at the same time permitting sound to be readily transmitted to the interior of the ear. The water excluding diaphragm 4 is of rubber by preference, although it may consist of any thin tissue. The diaphragm 4f may be cemented or attached at its edges to the outer portion of the interior of the stopper so as to cffectually prevent the passage of water therearound. The stem 2 tapers in its length and is made hollow or tubular so as to convey sound from the chamber of the stopper into the ear, the tapered form of the stem admitting of its closing the passage of the ear and exerting a slight pressure upon the walls thereof, which in conjunction with the engagement of the edge portion of the stopper with the interior of the ear, retains the device when placed in position within the ear.

The protector is exceedingly light and flexible and may be quickly placed in position in the ear or removed therefrom and when fitted in the ear effectually prevents the entrance of water therein while practi- `cally not obstructing the transmission of sound which is of special advantage.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. An ear protector comprising` a chambered head adapted to lit within the ear and formed with a perforated portion, and a diaphragm arranged within the chambercd portion of the head, the said diaphragm being protected by the perforated portion of the head and coperating therewith to exclude foreign matter and permit the transfer of sound.

2. An ear protector formed of yielding material and comprising a flattened Chain bered head adaptedto fit closely Within the eXterior portion of the ear, a holloit stem eX= tended from the inner side of the head, and means cooperating With the head and stein to transmit sound and excluding foreign matter.

3. An ear protector formed of yielding material and comprising a flattened chambered head adapted to it closely Within the exterior portion of the ear7 the outer side of the head being perforated, a hollow stem projecting from the inner side of the head, and a diaphragm cooperating with the perforated side of the head to exclude foreign matter and permit the transmission of sound.

4i. A new article of manufacture, consisting of an ear protector formed of soft rubber and comprising a flattened chambered head of pear form and having the contracted end curved to one side, the outer Wall of the stopper being provided with a series of small openings7 a hollow tapered stem extended from the inner Wall of the stopper, and an exceedingly thin diaphragm arranged Within the Chamber of the stopper close to the outer perforated Wall to exclude foreign matter Without obstructing the transmission of sound.

In testimony whereof l aiiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ROWLAND MCWILLIAMS. [L sl Witnesses:

J. C. PARKER, HANsoN S. GILLESPIE. 

